Offset printing press



June 4, 1935. H. M. BARBER OFFSET PRINTING PRESS l2 Sheets-Sheet l 3 IN VENTOR M 3!. 2.9% %MW A TTORNE Y5 Filed June 7, 1934 Filed June 7, 1934 12 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS June 4, 1935. H, M. BARBER OFFSET PRINTING PRESS Filed June 7, 1934 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR A Tm'RNL Y5 June 4, 1935. H. M. BARBER OFFSET PRINTING PRESS 12 sheets sheet 4 Filed June 7, 1934 ATTORNEYS June 1935. H. M. BARBER 2,003,798

OFFSET PRINTING PRESS Filed June 7, 1934 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 a 22 V0 Z09 16' i7 6 1' k\\ ://I {I I 23 1g HZ [I L 229 9y 201. 102 103 I 2 o 19 1Z3 H I 2 0 188 9 f 225 fag 89 .91 I o 7 '30 I 275 I, :1 U, j 237 85 I 139 127 I Q o A TTOIRNE Y5 June' 4, 1935. H. M. BARBER 2,003,798

OFFSET PRINTING PRESS Filed June' '7, 1934 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR BY r A TTORNE Y5 June 4, 1935. H. M. BARBER 2,003,798

OFFSET PRINTING PRESS Filed Jur xe 7, 1934 12 Sheets-Sheet 7 160 ma I [NVENTOR BY flMW A TTORNEYS June 4, 1935. H. M. BARBER 2,003,798

OFFSET PRINTING PRESVS Filed June 7, 1934 12 Sheets-Sheet 8 o 11 HF 25 1,? r'll o 295 Elm L 295 ATTORNEYS June 4, 1935. H. M. BARBER 2,003,798

OFFSET PRINTING PRESS Filed June 7, 1934 12 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTOR i $4M%M A TTOIRNE Y5 June 4, 1935. H. M. BARBER OFFSET PRINTING PRESS Filed June 7, 1954 12 Sheets-Sheet 10 Mm E;

IVVENTOR A TTORNE KS June 4, 1935. H. M. BARBER OFFSET PRINTING PRESS l2 SheenS -Sheec. 11

Filed June '7, 1934 INVENTOR Mk4 M A TTOR NE Y5 June 4, 1935. H. M. BARBER 2,003,798

OFFSET PRINTING PRESS Filed June '7, 1954 12 Sheets-Sheet l2 AUXILIARY mo-ron CONTROL sm'rmu Z65 Z *3 Q 5 5k 2 N Eh E g /& Q

v INVENTOR MZ'QM 8y WM A TTORNE Y5 Patented June 4, 1935 OFFSET PRINTING PRESS Howard M. Barber, Pawcatuck, Conn., assignor to C. B. Cottrell & Sons Company, Westerly, R. L, a corporation of Delaware Application June 7, 1934, Serial No. 729,365

36 Claims.

This invention is directed to that type of offset web printing presses in which the printing unit includes a common impression cylinder and two or more pairs of design and transfer cylinders and their inking mechanisms, and with or without moistening mechanisms, said printing unit operating in unison with a suitable web advancing means, such, for instance, as a folder, delivery, feeder, or two or more combined.

This invention consists, generally, in a common drive for the web advancing means and the printing unit and a separate drive for the pairs of design and transfer cylinders, means being provided for permitting the driving or stopping of the web advancing means and impression cylinder independently of the pairs of design and transfer cylinders and for permitting the driving or stopping of the said pairs of design and transfer cylinders independently of the web ad- 29 vancing means and impression cylinder.

This invention consists, more particularly, in the provision of one motor for driving the printing unit and web advancing means or for driving the web advancing means and the impres- 5 sion cylinder of the printing unit and a second motor for driving the design and transfer cylinders independently of the impression cylinder and web advancing means, means being provided for bringing one motor into, and the other motor out of, operative connection with the pairs of design and transfer cylinders.

This invention consists, still more particularly, in means for separating the design and transfer cylinders of each pair without operatively disconnecting them, means for separating the transfer and impression cylinders without operatively disconnecting them, and means for operatively disconnecting the transfer and impression cylinders without operatively discon-- necting the impression cylinder from the .web

advancing means.

The object of my invention is to provide an offset printing press of the above character whereby the press crews may work independently upon either the web advancing means and its operatively connected impression cylinder when disconnected from the pairs of design and transfer cylinders, or independently upon the pairs of design and transfer cylinders and their inking and moistening mechanisms. Thus, the web may be threaded and advanced through the press and into the folder, if one is employed, without stopping the pairs of design and transfer cylinders; also the pairs of design and transfer cylinders and the inking and moistening mechanisms may be independently worked upon for various purposes, as for applying a plate to any one or more of the design cylinders or for preparing and adjusting the inking and moistening mechanisms or for gumming'the design cylinders, without affecting the running or stopping of the web advancing means and impression cylinder; thereby permitting the press crews to work on the independently operating parts at the same time and thus materially shorten 1 the period consumed for bringing the press into its full printing condition.

A practical embodiment of my invention is represented in the accompanying drawings which illustrate a two color offset web printing 15 press.

Fig. 1 represents a detail top plan view of the printing press, the several coacting levers being omitted for sake of clarity.

Fig. 2 represents a detail side view of the a press showing in diagram the printing unit, the web and the web advancing means.

Fig. 3 represents a detail side view showing the gearing through which the web and the several cylinders are driven.

Figs. 4 and 4*- represent a detail side elevation with the various controllevers in their respective positions when the common impression cylinder and the two pairs of design and transfer cylinders are contacting and inter-con- 3o necting and the press running at full speed.

Figs. 5 and 5* represent a similar view showing the various control levers in their respective positions when the impression and transfer cylinders' are supported and operatively discon- 35 nected; the design and transfer cylinders of each pair being in contact and operatively connected and the inking and moisteningmechanisms in contact with their respective design cylinders, to permit coactive movement of' the 40 pairs of design and transfer cylinders independ .ently of their impression cylinder and the web advancing means, and vice versa.

' Figs. 6 and 6 represent a similar view showing the various control levers in their respective 45 positions when the inking mechanisms are out of contact with their respective design cylinders,

the design cylinders out of contact with their respective transfer cylinders, and the transfer cylinders out of contact and operatively discon 50 nected from their common impression cylinder. 1.

Fig. '7 represents a detail vertical cross sec tion on an enlarged scale, taken in the plane of the line VII-VII of Fig. 1, looking inifie direction of the arrows. 55

Fig. 8 represents an enlarged central section through the magnetic clutch which controls the operative connection and disconnection of the transfer and impression cylinders.

Fig. 9 represents a detail side elevation on the same scale as Fig. 7, of the motor side of the press.

Fig. 10 represents a central section on the same scale as Fig. 8, of the magnetic clutch for controlling the operative connection and disconnection between one of the drives and the pairs of design and transfer cylinders.

Fig. 11 represents the wiring diagram of the operating control for the various mechanisms.

The two color web printing unit illustrated herein comprises a common impression cylinder and two pairs of design and transfer cylinders operatively connected therewith, the design cylinders being denoted by I and 2, the transfer cylinders by 3 and 4 and the common impression cylinder by 5. The shafts of these cylinders are respectively denoted by 6, I, 8, 9 and I0. The inking mechanism for the design cylinder I comprises, generally, the inking fountain II, the fountain roll I2, the fountain roll clutch I3, the ductor roll I4, the distributing rolls I5 and the design cylinder inking rolls I6.

The inking mechanism for the design cylinder 2 comprises, generally, the inking fountain I], the fountain roll I8, the fountain roll clutch I9, the ductor roll 20, the distributing rolls 2I and the design cylinder inking rolls 22.

The moistening mechanism for the design cylinder comprises, generally, the fountain 23, the fountain roll 24, the ductor roll 25 and the design cylinder water applying rolls 26.

The moistening mechanism for the design cylinder 2 comprises, generally, the fountain 21, the fountain roll 28, the ductor roll 29 and the design cylinder water applying rolls 30.

The web is denoted by 3| and it leads from its supply roll 32 to and around the common impression cylinder 5 and from thence to a delivery which, in the present instance, is shown as a folder 33.

The web advancing means includes the folder 33 and also the web supply roll drive which is herein shown as an endless tape carrier 34 engaging the periphery of the web supply roll 32 and passing around pulleys 35 and 36 interconnected by a train of gears 31, 36, 39, 40 and H.

Two motors are provided, one motor 42 being arranged to either drive the web advancing means and the printing unit or the web advancing means and common impression cylinder independently of the remainder of the printing unit; and the other motor 43 being arranged to independently drive the said remainder of the printing unit, i. e., the two pairs of design and transfer cylinders and their inking and rnoistening mechanisms.

The drive from the motor 42 to the web advancing means, i. e., the folder 33 and the web "supply roll drive comprises the following elements:

A gear 44 fast on the motor shaft 45 drives a gear 46 fast on a cross shaft 41. A bevel gear 48 fast on the cross shaft 4! drives a bevel gear 49 fast on a longitudinally disposed shaft 50. A bevel gear 5| fast on the longitudinally disposed shaft 50 drives a bevel gear 52 fast on an upright shaft 53 of the folder 33 from which shaft 53 the folder is driven in the usual manner. Another bevel gear 54 fast on its longitudinally disposed shaft 50 drives a bevel gear 55 fast on a cross shaft 56 which shaft has fast thereon a gear 51 which drives a gear 58 fast on a cross shaft 59, which shaft has in turn a gear 60 which drives a gear 6| on the shaft 62 of the belt pulley 35.

The drive from the motor 42 to the shaft III of the impression cylinder 5 is as follows:

The cross shaft 41 which is driven from the motor shaft 45 through the gears 44, 46 has fast thereon a gear 63 which drives a gear 64 loosely mounted on a cross shaft 05. This loose gear 64 drives a gear 66 fast on the impresssion cylinder shaft I0.

The drive from the auxiliary motor 43 to the shaft I of the impression cylinder is as follows:

The shaft 61 of the auxiliary motor 43 drives the cross shaft 65 through a reduction gear unit 68, its shaft 69 and magnetic clutch I0. A gear II fast on the cross shaft 65 drives a gear I2 loosely mounted on the impression cylinder shaft I0. A magnetic clutch I3 is provided for interlocking and releasing the fast gear 66 of the main motor drive and the loose gear I2 of the auxiliary motor drive, both of which gears, as explained above, are located on the impression cylinder shaft I0.

The drive from the impression cylinder shaft I0 to the two pairs of transfer and design cylinders and to the inking and moistening mechanisms for the two design cylinders, is as follows:

The loose gear I2 on the impression cylinder shaft I0 drives two gears I4, I5 fast on their respective transfer cylinder shafts 8 and 9. Gears I6, 11 also fast on their respective transfer cylinder shafts 8 and 9 drive gears I8, I9 fast on their respective design cylinder shafts 6 and I. These gears I8 and I9 also drive the gears 80, 8| and their respective inking rollers and the gears 82, 83 of their respective moistening mechanisms. Gears 84, 85 fast on the design cylinder shafts 6 and I respectively, drive gears 86, 81 which in turn respectively drive gears 88, 89 fast on the shafts 90, 9| of the ink fountain feed mechanisms.

Cams 92, 93 fast on the shafts 90, 9I act upon spring pressed rollers 94, 95 carried by arms 96, 91 fast on rock shafts 98, 99. Manually adiustable connections I00, IOI on arms I02, I03 fast on the rock shafts 98, 99 are provided for the lower end of connecting bars I04, I05, the upper ends of which bars are connected to arms I06, I01 of rock shafts I08, I09 of the fountain roll clutches I3, I9, to cause the fountain rolls to rotate step by step. Hand screws IIO, III are journaled in the arms I02, I03 and adjust the connections I00, IOI of the bars I04, I05, to control the movements of the fountain rolls I2, I8.

The design cylinders I and 2 may be adjusted to bring them into proper printing contact with their transfer cylinders 3 and 4 as, for instance. by mounting the design cylinders on eccentric bearings I I2, H3, adjustable rotatively by providing the bearings with arms II4, II 5 from which rods II6, III extend to studs H8, H9

printing contact with the design cylinders I and- 2; and the transfer cylinders 3 and 4 may also be adjusted to bring them out of printing contact with their design cylinders I and 2, when so desired. transfer cylinders are mounted on outerand inner eccentric bearings I22, I23 and I24, I25,

The means for adjusting the transfer cylinders 3 and 4 to bring them out of printing contact with their common impression cylinder 5 and into contact with their design cylinders I and'2 are as follows:

Hand levers I26, I21 are carried by rock shafts I28, I29, which rock shafts are provided with eccentrics I30, I3I embraced by the upper members I32, I33 of connecting rods, the lower members I34, I35 of which are connected to arms I36, I31 projecting from the outer eccentric bearing I22, I23. Adjusting screws I36, I39 are provided between the upper and lower members I32, I33 and I34, I35 of the connecting rods to regulate the printing contact between the transfer cylinders and their impression cylinder when in printing position.

The transfer cylinders 3 and 4 are adjusted to bring them out of contact with their design cylinders land 2 as well as their common impression cylinder 5, by providing the inner eccentric bearings I24, I25 with arms I40, I4I, connected to the upper ends of rods I42, I43, the lower ends of which rods are connected to arms I44, I45, fast on rock shafts I46, I41, which shafts are rocked from' a cam I65 on the rotary shaft I48*, through the following connections:

A. spring pressed stud or roller I49 is carried by an arm I50 of a lever pivoted at I5I, a second arm I52 of which lever being yieldingly connected through rods I53, I54 with forked bars I55, I56 connected at their lower ends to arms I51, I58 of rock levers pivoted at I59, I60, the other arms I6I, I62 of which levers are spring pressed and carry studs or rollers I63, I64 which engage the periphery of a cam I65 on the shaft I48*. The operating bars I55, I56 have shoulders I66, I61 and I68, I69 adapted to respectively-engage the pins I10, I11 and I12, I13 carried by rock levers I14, I15 fast on the rock shafts I46, I41. The rod I54 is connected to the forked bar I56 through a rock lever I54* and connecting bar I56*.

Means are provided for preventing the hand levers I26, I21 from being rocked except under certain conditions to be hereinafter explained, which means is herein shown as comprising lock bars I16, I11 carried by the inner eccentric bearings I24, I25 in position to engage the diametrically opposed shoulders I10, I19 and I80, I8I carried by the said hand levers I26, I21.

The rock levers I14, I15 have spring pressed connections at the pins I82, I83 with the lower ends of hook bars I84, I85 having at their upper ends recesses I 86, I81 and I88, I88 respectively, arranged to engage pins I90, I 9| on the operating forked bars I92, I93 which are connected at their corresponding ends to the depending arms I94, I95 of rock levers pivoted at I96, I91, the uprising arms I98, I99 of which levers carry spring pressed rollers 200, 20I which ride on the faces of cams 202, 203, fast on .the shafts 6 and'l of the design cylinders I and 2.

The operating bars I92, I93 have two shoulders 204, 205 and 206, 201 respectively, arranged to alternately engage the pins 208, 209 and 2I0, 2 of rock levers 2I2, 2I3 fast on rock shafts To accomplish these results the- 2I4, 2I5, which shafts are also provided with depending arms 2I6, 2I1 which are connected by rods 2I8, 2I9 to the depending arms 220, 22I of rock shafts 222, 223. These rock shafts 222, 223 have eccentrics 224, 25 forming supports for the end plates 226, 221 of the design cylinder inking roll carriages.

These end plates 226, 221 carry pins 228, 229 for engagement with the lower ends of latch bars 230, 23I, the upper ends of which latch bars have spring pressed lost motion connections with arms 232,-233 fast to rock shafts 234, 235. These rock shafts 234, 235 have fast thereon latch bars 236, 231, arranged to be brought into and out of engagement with the rockarms I02, I03 carried by the rock shafts 98, 99, the motion of which is controlled by the cams 92, 93 on the shafts 90, 9|.

Overthrow hand levers are pivoted at 238, 239, the handles being denoted by 240, 2. These hand levers are provided with arms 242, 243 having studs or rollers 244, 245, arranged to be brought into and out of contact with the operating forked bars I55, I 56. These-hand levers are also provided with arms 246, 241, carrying safety rods 248, 249, arranged to be brought into and out of position to be engaged by lugs 250, 25I on the outer eccentrics I22,

The cams I48 and I65 which are fast on the shaft I48* are driven from the impression cylinder shaft I0 at a selected speed that will not limit the speed of the printing cylinders, through the train of gears 253, 254, 255, 256.

The electrical control for the press comprises the following elements:

The control station 251 for the main motor 42 includes the two print switches 258, 259, the run switch 260, the jog switch 26I and the stop switch 262.

The control station 263 for the auxiliary motor 43 includes the run switch 264, the jog" switch 265, the stop switch 266, and the "reverse switch 261.

The main motor clutch magnet is denoted by 268 and its stop switch operated mechanically from the main motor clutch is denoted by 269, its switch which stops the auxiliary motor, by 210, and the maintaining switch for the trip magnet 213, by 21I. The auxiliary motor clutch magnet is denoted by 212. The hand operated trip magnet is denoted by 213, the switch by 214 and the plunger by 215. The main clutch magnetic relay is denoted by 216 and its contacts by 211, 218. The main motor slow speed relay is denoted by 219, its main motor slow speed contacts by 280, its contacts for maintaining the main motor by 28I, and its contacts for the control circuit for the main motor high speed relay 283, by 282. The contacts for this high speed relay 283 are denoted by 284. The hand operated switch to run the web at high or low speed when the impression cylinder is operatively disconnected from the pairs of design and transfer cylinders is denoted by 285.

The auxiliary motor relay denoted by 286 is provided with the contacts 281, 288, 289, 290, 29I.

The slow down switches 293, 294 are operated from the inner eccentric bearings I24, I25. The main motor magnetic clutch operating switches 292, 295 are also operated from the inner eccentric bearings I24, I25.

The switch 296 is used for bridging slow down current when the press is printing a single color. The plunger 215 is connected to the hook arm 291 of a rock lever pivoted at 298. This book lever arm 291 is arranged to be brought into and out of engagement with the uprising arm I52 of the lever pivoted at I5I. The other arm 299 of this hook lever pivoted at 298 is arranged in position to be engaged by a swinging latch lever 300 pivoted at 30I, which latch lever is connected by a spring pressed rod 302 to the depending arm 303 of a three armed lever pivoted at 304. Another arm 305 of this rock lever is connected through a rod 306 to an arm 301 of a rock lever pivoted at 308, the other arm 309 of which rock lever operates from the main motor clutch I3. The contactor relay is denoted by 3I0 and its contacts by 3, (H2,

In operation The printing plates and packings may be attached to design cylinders I, 2, in the usual manner, the switches of the auxiliary motor control station 263 being used to jog or reverse the design cylinders to permit the ready attachment of the plates to the cylinders.

New blankets may be attached to the transfer cylinders 3, 4, or the cylinders may be cleaned and their old blankets prepared, the switches of the said auxiliary motor control station 263 being also used for this purpose.

The colors are placed in the ink fountains II, I! and the ink is fed to the distributing rollers I5, 2I, to obtain the proper distribution for printing. To do this the pairs of design and transfer cylinders I, 3 and 2, 4, the inking mechanisms, and the moistening mechanisms are all operated in unison. The ink is fed by releasing the latch bars 236, 231 from the lever arms I02, I03, to permit the spring pressed rollers 94, 95,

carried by the lever arms 96, 91 to be swung upwardly into contact with the rotary cams 92, 93, carried by the shafts 90, 9|. Thus, the rotary cams 92, 93 impart a reciprocating motion to the connecting bars I04, I05, thereby causing an intermittent forward movement to the roller clutches I3, I9 which rotate the fountain rolls I2, I8, step by step. The amount of this movement can be adjusted by turning the hand screws IIO, III.

The moistening mechanisms may be prepared by placing water and acid solution in the fountains 23, 21 and transferring the moisture therefrom to the design cylinders I and 2 through the rolls 24, 25, 26 and 28, 29, 30, by runnning the pairs of design and transfer cylinders of the printing unit.

If necessary, the gum may be removed from the printing plates on the design cylinders I, 2, the jogging switch 265 of the auxiliary motor control station 263 being used for this purpose.

The run switch 264 of the auxiliary motor control station 263 may then be closed to allow the pairs of design and transfer cylinders to be run together with the inking and moistening mechanisms, it being understood that the rollers 26, 30 of the moistening mechanisms are properly adjusted for the desired amount of moisture to be applied to the design cylinders I, 2. The inking rollers I6, 22 which have been in their raised position, out of contact with the design cylinders I, 2, may then be dropped into contact with the surfaces of the design cylinders by unlatching the hook bars I84, I from their pins I90, I9I, thus allowing the operating forked bars I92, I93 to drop, bringing their shoulders 205, 201 into engagement with the pins 209, 2 on the rock levers 2I2, 2I3.

The operating bars I92, I93 which are connected to the arms I94, I 95 of the rock levers pivoted at I96, I91 are oscillated by the contact of the spring pressed rollers 200, 20! on the lever arms I98, I99 with the faces of the rotary cams 202, 203 on the design cylinder shafts 6, I.

The rock levers 2I2, 2I3 which are fixed to the rock shafts 2I4, 2I5 because of their connection between the depending arms 2I6, 2I'I, rods 2I8, U9 and depending arms 220, 22I swing the eccentrics 224, 225 on the rock shafts 222, 223, to permit the end plates 220, 221 of the inking roller carriages to drop, thus permitting the inking rollers I6, 22 to be brought into contact witzh the peripheries of their design cylinders The pressman may now examine the plates on the design cylinders I, 2, to see if the ink and water are functioning properly. He then raises the inking roller carriages, thereby lifting the inking rollers I6, 22 out of contact with the peripheries of the design cylinders I, 2. This is accomplished by reengaging the hook bars I84, I85 with their pins I90, I9I on the operating forked bars I92, I93, thereby raising the operating bars into engagement with their pins 208, 2I0 and thus reversing the movement of the rock shafts 2I4, 2I5.

During this period of preparing the plates on the design cylinders I, 2, the pairs of design and transfer cylinders have been constantly rotated at a slow speed except when the pressman has wished to examine the plates closely by operating the stop switch 266 of the auxiliary motor control station 263. It is understood that the pressman may also then operate the og switch 265 of the said station, to bring any particular portions of the plates into ready position for examination.

If satisfied with the condition of the plates on the design cylinders I, 2, the pressman may then close the run" switch 264 of the auxiliary motor control station 263 and allow the pairs of design and transfer cylinders to run together with the moistening mechanisms, thus continuously keeping the plates on the design cylinders moist.

Should the pressman desire to stop the pairs of design and transfer cylinders for a consider- .able period of time he will, of course, gum the plates on the design cylinders, using the jog switch 265 of the auxiliary motor control station 263 to permit the application of the gum solution over the entire surfaces of the plates.

If the pressman finds the plates in condition for printing he will then prepare to print on the blankets of the transfer cylinders 3, 4, so that the blankets will be in condition to print on the web passing around the common impression cylinder 5, with a minimum amount of waste. Its printing operation is accomplished by throwing the hand levers I26, I 21 from their positions A" to their positions B (see Figs. 5 and 5). The latch lever 300 holds the lever arm 299, thus releasing the arm 29'! from the uprising lever arm I52 so that pressure between the transfer cylinders 3, 4 and their common impression cylinder 5 cannot be thrown on when the main motor magnetic clutch I3 is out of engagement, unless the hand levers I26, I21 are in their position B". Otherwise, if pressure were thrown on the transfer cylinders 3, 4, while rotating, they might come without affecting the speed or efficient-operation into contact with the impression cylinder when stationary, thus causing damage to web and press.

The levers pivoted at 304 and 308 and. their connections 302 and 305, operated by the main motor clutch 13, when thrown out of engagement, places the latch lever 300 in engagement with the arm 299 of the rock lever pivoted at 298. In moving the handles 240, 24I of the overthrow levers pivoted at 238, 239 counter-clockwise, the connecting rods I53 and I54 are moved, thereby pushing the.lever I54 and its connecting rod I56 to bring the forked bars I55, I56 into engagement with their pins I10, I13. It will be remembered that these forked bars I55, I56 are moved bytheir levers pivoted at I59, I60 respectively, through the cam I65 and studs or rollers I63, I64 thus causing the forked bars I55, I56 to push against their respective pins I10, I13, carried-by the rock" levers I14, I15, thereby moving the outer eccentrics I22, I23 of the transfer cylinders through the connections I42, I43. This operation will throw 'pressure on between the cylinders.

It will be remembered that the cams I48 and I 65, mounted on the shaft I48 are timed in relation to each other. This shaft I48 is driven at its lower speed to reduce the strains on the pressure operating mechanism consistent with other normal operating conditions and still not limit the printing or cylinder speed of the press.

The handles 240, 24I of the overthrow levers pivoted at 238, 239 may then be thrown. This will hold the forked bars I55, I56 against their pins I10, I13 and the pressure mechanism consisting of the cam I65, cam levers pivoted at I59, I60, their rollers I63, I64, forked bars I55, I56, rock levers I14, I15 and connections I42, I43 will move the transfer cylinder outer eccentrics I22, I23 to pressure position. By returning the handles 240, 24I to their original position the cylinders will be separated to pressure-off position.

It is only possible to return the hand levers I26, I21 to their positions A" after pressure has been released. placing both the safety rods 248, 249 and lock bars I16, I11 in non-interfering positions. The safety rods' 248, 249 are for the purpose of preventing the operator from operating the pressure mechanism before the hand levers I26, I21 are in correct position. The lock bars I16, I11 will prevent the hand levers I26, I21 from being moved to position A before pressure between the design and transfer cylinders has been released.

It will be observed that .either one ofthe pairs of design and transfer cylinders can be held in non-printing position indefinitely, without interfering with make-ready or printing operation of the rest of the press. This is accomplished by inserting either a stop 3I4 to prevent the roller I63 from following the cam I65, or a stop 3I5 to prevent the roller I64 from following the said cam I65.

While I have referred specifically to the oper-' ating mechanisms for both pairs of design and transfer cylinders and their combined coaction and non-coaction with the common impression cylinder, still it is to be understood that either pair of cylinders may be made ready or remain inactive as far as the printing is concerned if it is desired to run a single color only,

of the press.

From the above description it will be seen that the pressure between the design and transfer cylinders of both pairs may be obtained and the inking mechanism may be raised or lowered, or held out of contact regardless of the operation of the automatic trip mechanism.

It will also be observed that the ink fountain feed for each pair of design and transfer cylinders may be stopped, started, adjusted, or held-stopped regardless of the operation of the automatic trip mechanism.

Assuming that everything is now ready to start the printing operation:

The design and transfer cylinders are running slowly, the ink rollers are raised, the ink fountain feed is stopped, but there is no pressure between any of the cylinders, and the water rollers are in contact with the design cylinders to prevent oxidation.

While the design and transfer cylinders are being prepared for printing, the paper web roll may be placed in position and the web threaded through the press. The folder may also be tested and the necessary adjustments made to the operation of the press which consists of the web roll drive, the impression cylinder, and the folder, without interference with the pairs of design and transfer cylinders.

It will be observed that this part of the press is driven independently by the main motor 42 and controlled by station 251 when desiring to do any of the operation mentioned in the last paragraph. The run switch 260', the jog switch 26I, the stop switch 262 in connection with the hand operated switch 285 and contactor relay 3I0, are used during this period. While printing, these units are electrically inactive.

The circuit through the contacts 3 operates the main motor; the circuit through the eontacts 3I2 are for maintaining circuit for the contactor relay 3I0; the circuit through the contacts 3I3 are for energizing the high speed relay 283, to operate the impression cylinder, the folder, and the web control mechanism at high speed when the switch 285 is closed.

To start printing the web It will be kept in mind that the auxiliary motor 43 is driving a portion of the press. Change the run switch 260 of main motor control station 251 to the print switch 258, thus closing thecontacts 259. The current then flows through 258, energizing the relay 219, thus causing the contacts 280, 28I, 282 to complete their circuits. The circuit through contacts 280 will start the main motor 42 to run slow speed; the circuit through contacts 28I maintains the relay circuit; the circuit through contacts 282 is closed but inoperative until the switch 294 closes by movement 'of the inner eccentric I24 or I25. The closing of the switch 294 energizes the relay 216 which is of the time element type, thus causing a delay in closing and completing the circuits through the contacts 211 and 218. The circuit through the contact 211 energizes the main clutch magnet 268, thus moving the pins of the magnetic clutch 13 into positive engagement with the fast gear 66 of the main motor drive. clutch 13 has about a one-fourth inch movement and in closing breaks the switches 210, 2H and closes the switch 269. The circuit through This,

the contact 218 of the relay 21.6 maintains the relay when the switch 292 or 295 is closed by movement of the eccentric I24 or I25. The switch 295 is provided to bridge the slow down circuit if operating one only of the pairs of design and transfer cylinders. The switch 269 is provided for automatically stopping the main motor when printing ceases. Opening the switch 210 breaks the maintaining circuit through the contacts 281 of relay 286, thus stopping the auxiliary motor 43 and deenergizing the clutch magnet 212. Opening the switch 21I breaks switch 214 of the circuit feeding trip magnet 213, causing transfer cylinders to move into contact with design and impression cylinders, as hereinbefore set forth.

It will be noted that the switches 269, 210, 2" are mechanically operated by the magnetic clutch 13. Opening the switch 21I ensures the main clutch being in positive engagement before pressure can be thrown on between the cylinders. This is important as all of the cylinders must be driven from the main source to ensure correct peripheral speeds. The movement of the inner eccentrics I24, I when pressure is thrown on will close the switches 294, 292,

operator may remove his finger from the print gwitch 258 of the main motor control station Four switches 3I6, 3I1, 3I8, 3I9 are provided for stopping the printing operation according to requirements. The closing of any one of these switches would operate as follows:

If the web should break the switch 3I6 would close, thus energizing the trip magnet 213 and causing the trip mechanism to operate. This will open the switches 294, 293 and 292, 295. Opening of the switches 294 and 293 causes the current through the contacts 284 to break, thus slowing down the main motor. Opening the switches 292 and 295 causes the current to be broken through magnetic relay 216, thus stopping the current from flowing into the magnetic clutch 13. This clutch 13 moves out of driving contact, thus operating the switches 259, 21D, 2". The switch 269 breaks the maintaining circuit through the contacts 28I, thus causing the relay 219 to release the contacts and stop the main motor. All of the above operations are automatic and are operated in proper sequence. It is now necessary to close the run switch 264 of the auxiliary motor control station 263, to allow the auxiliary motor 43 to run,

. if it be desired to keep the printing plates moist.

If not, it is necessary to gum the plates.

From the above description it will be seen that it is impossible to operate the auxiliary motor or clutch while the press is being driven by the main motor and the web is being printed. It will also be seen that means have been provided whereby the web advancing means andthe impression cylinder of the printing unit can be stopped, started, and run entirely independently of the pairs of design and transfer cylinders and the inking and moistening mechanisms for the design cylinders.

It will also be seen that I have provided means whereby the pairs of design and transfer cylinders and the design cylinder inking and moistening mechanisms can be stopped, started, and run independently of the operation of the web advancing mechanism and impression cylinder.

It will also be seen that I have provided meanswhereby each pair of the design and transfer cylinders and the design cylinder inking and moistening mechanisms can be stopped, started, and run independently of the operation of the web advancing means and the common impression cylinder.

The above provisions enable, in a multi-color press, the independent handling of the parts as above enumerated, to cause the press to be brought into its full printing condition in the shortest time and with the least wastage of web material.

While I have illustrated a folder as a part of the web advancing means, it is to be understood that I do not wish to limit myself to this particular mechanism but wish to cover any mechanism which it may be desired to use instead of the folder. The parts of the printing press which are shown and described but not claimed herein, form the subject matter of my copending application, filed May 17, 1933, Serial No. 671,451, which has now matured into Letters Patent No. 1,972,470, dated September 4, 1934.

It is also evident that various changes may be resorted to in the construction, form and arrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and hence I donot intend to be limited to the particular embodiment herein shown and described, but

What I claim is:

1. In a multi color offset printing press, a printing unit comprising a common impression cylinder and pairs of design and transfer cylinders interconnected therewith, their drive, means for separating and means for operatively disconnecting the transfer cylinders from the impression cylinder, and means for driving the design and transfer cylinders independently of the impression cylinder and independently of each other.

2. In a multi color offset printing press, a printing unit comprising a common impression cylinder and pairs of design and transfer cylinders interconnected therewith, their drive, means for separating and means for operatively disconnecting the transfer cylinders from the impression cylinder, and means for driving the impression cylinder independently of the design and transfer cylinders and the design and transfer cylinders independently of each other.

3. In a multi color offset printing press, a printing unit comprising a common impression cylinder and pairs of design and. transfer cylinders interconnected therewith, their drive, means for separating and means for operatively disconnecting the transfer cylinders from the impression cylinder, means for driving the design and transfer cylinders independently of the impression cylinder and independently of each other and means for driving the impression cylinder independently of the design and transfer cylinders.

4. In a multi color offset printing press, a printing unit comprising a common impression cylinder and pairs of design and transfer cylinders interconnected therewith, web advancing means, their drive, means for separating and means for operatively disconnecting the design and transfer cylinders from the impression cylinder without disconnecting the impression cylinder and web advancing means, and means for driving the design and transfer cylinders independently of the impression cylinder and web advancing means and independently of each other.

5. In a multi color offset printing press, a printing unit comprising a common impression cylinder and pairs of design and transfer cylinders interconnected therewith, web advancing means, their drive, means for separating and means for operatively disconnecting the design and transfer cylinders from the impression cyl inder without disconnecting the impression cylinder and web advancing means, and means for driving the impression cylinder and web advancing means independently of the design and transfer cylinders and the design and transfer cylinders independently of each other.

6. In a multi color offset printing press, a

printing unit comprising a common impression cylinder and pairs of design and transfer cyl-. inders interconnected therewith, web advancing means, their drive, means for separating and means for operatively disconnecting the design and transfer cylinders from the impression cylinder without disconnecting the impression cylinder and web advancing means, means for driving the design and transfer cylinders independently of the impression cylinder and web advancing means and independently of each other and means for driving the impression cylinder and web advancing means independently of the design and transfer cylinders.

7. In a multi color offset printing press, a printing unit comprising a common impression cylinder and pairs of design and transfer cylinders operatively connected therewith, their drive, means for separating the transfer cylinders from their design cylinders, means for separating and means for operatively disconnecting the transfer cylinders from their common impression cylinder, and means for driving the design and transfer cylinders independently of the impression cylinder and independently of each other.

8. In a multi color offset printing press, a printing unit comprising a common impression cylinder and pairs of design and transfer cylinders operatively connected therewith, web advancing means, their drive, means for separating the transfer cylinders from their design cylinders, means for separating and means for operatively disconnecting the transfer cylinders from their common impression cylinder, and means for driving the design and transfer cylinders independently of the impression cylinder and web advancing means and independently of I each other.

9. In a multi color offset printing press, a printing unit comprising a common impression cylinder and pairs of design and transfer cylvancing means, their drive, means for separating the transfer cylinders from their design cylinders, means for separating and means for operatively disconnecting the transfer cylinders from their common impression cylinder, and

means for separating the transfer cylinders from their design cylinders, means for separating and means for operatively disconnecting the transfer cylinders from their common impression cylinder, means for driving the design and transfer cylinders independently of the impression cylinder and independently of each other, and means for driving the impression cylinder inde- 12. In a multi color offset printing press, a printing unit comprising a common impression cylinder and pairs of design and transfer cylinders operatively connected therewith, web advancing means, their drive, means for separat ing the transfer cylinders from their design cylinders, means for separating and means for operatively disconnecting the transfer cylinders from their common impression cylinder, means for driving the design and transfer cylinders independently of the impression cylinder and web advancing means and independently of each other, and means for driving the impression cylinder and web advancing means independently of the design and transfer cylinders.

13. In a multi color offset printing press, a printing unitcomprising a common impression cylinder and pairs of design and transfer cylinders operatively connected therewith, means for separating and means for operatively disconnecting the transfer cylinders from the impression cylinder, and means operable to drive the printing unit as a whole and for driving the design and transfer cylinders independently of the impression cylinder and independently of each other. i

14. In a multi color offset printing press, a printing unit comprising a common impression cylinder and pairs of design and transfer cylinders operatively connected therewith, web advancing means, means for separating and means for operatively disconnecting the transfer cylinders from the impression cylinder, and means operable to drive the printing unit as a whole and the web advancing means and for driving the design and transfer cylinders independently of the impression cylinder and web advancing means and independently of each other.

15. In a -multi color offset printing press, a

printing unit comprising a common impression cylinder and pairs of design and transfer cyl- 'pendentlyof the design and transfer cylinders.

inders operatively connected therewith, andmeans operable to drive the printing unit as a whole and for driving the impression cylinder independently of the design and transfer cylinders and the design and transfer cylinders independently of each other. i

16. In a multi color offset printing press, a printing unit comprising a common impression cylinder and pairs of design and transfer cyl inders operatively connected therewith, web advancing means, and means operable to drive the printing unit as a whole and the web advancing means and for driving the impression cylinder and web advancing means independently of the design and transfer cylinders and the design and transfer cylinders independently of each other.

17. In a multi color offset printing press, a printing unit comprising a'common impression cylinder and pairs of design and transfer cylinders operatively connected therewith, means for separating and means for operatively disconnecting the design andtransfer cylinders from the impression cylinder, and means for driving the printing unit as a whole, and when the design and transfer cylinders are disconnected, for driving the impression cylinder independently of said disconnected design and transfer cylinders and the design and transfer cylinders independently of each other.

18. In a multi color offset printing press, a printing unit comprising a common impression cylinder and pairs of design and transfer cylinders operatively connected therewith, means for separating and means for operatively discon necting the design and transfer cylinders from the impression cylinder, and means for driving 'the printing unit as a whole, and when the design and transfer cylinders are disconnected, for driving the impression cylinder independently of said disconnected design and transfer cylinders and the disconnected design and transfer cylinders independently of the impression cylinder and independently of each other.

19. me multi color offset printing press, a printing unit comprising a common impression cylinder and pairs of design and transfer cylinders operatively connected therewith, means for driving the printing unit as a whole, means for separating the design and transfer'cylinders without operatively disconnecting them, means for separating and means for operatively disconnecting the transfer and impression cylinders, and means for driving the design and transfer cylinders independently of the impression cylinder and independently of each other.

20. In a multi color offset printing press, a printing unit comprising a common impression cylinder and pairs of design and transfer cylinders operatively connected therewith, Web advancing means, means for driving the printing unit as a whole and the web advancing means, means for separating the design and transfer cylinders without operatively disconnecting them, means for separating and means for operatively disconnectin the transfer and impression cylinders, and means for driving the design and transfer cylinders independently of the impression cylinder and web advancing means and independently of each other.

21. In a multi color offset printing press, a printing unit comprising a common impression cylinder and pairs of design and transfer cylinders operatively connected therewith, means for driving the printing unit as a whole, means for separating the design and transfer cylinders without operatively disconnecting them, means for separating and means for operatively disconnecting the transfer and impression cylinders, said driving means being operable to drive the impression cylinder independently of the design and transfer cylinders and the design and transfer cylinders independently of each other.

22. In a multi color offset printing press, a printing unit comprising a common impression cylinder and pairs of design and transfer cylinders operatively connected therewith, web advancing means, means for driving the printing unit as a whole and the web advancing means, means for separating the design and transfer cylinders without operatively disconnecting them, means for separating and means for operatively disconnecting the transfer and impression cylinders, said driving means being operable to drive the impression cylinder and web advancing means independently of the design and transfer cylinders and the design and transfer cylinders independently of each other.

23. In a multi color offset printing press, a printing unit comprising a common impression cylinder and pairs of design and transfer cylinders operatively connected therewith, means for driving the printing unit as a whole, means for separating the design and transfer cylinders Without operatively disconnecting them, means for separating and means for operatively disconnecting the transfer and impression cylinders, and means for driving the design and transfer cylinders independently of the impression cylinder, said driving means being operable to drive the impression cylinder independently of the design and transfer cylinders and the design and transfer cylinders independently of each other. 7

24. In a multi color offset printing press, a printing unit comprising a commonimpression cylinder and pairs of design and transfer cylinders operatively connected therewith, web advancing means, means for driving the printing unit as a whole and the web advancing means, means for separating the design and transfer cylinders without operatively disconnecting them, means for separating and means for operatively disconnecting the transfer and impression cylinders, and means for driving the design and transfer cylinders independently of the impresison cylinder and the web advancing means and the design and transfer cylinders independently of each other, said driving means being operable to drive the impression cylinder! and web advancing means independently of the design and transfer cylinders.

25. In a multi color offset printing press, a printing unit comprising a common impression cylinder and pairs of design and transfer cylinders, their drive, and means for driving the pairs of design and transfer cylinders independently of the impression cylinder and independently of each other.

26. In a multi color offset printing press, a printing unit comprising a common impression cylinder and pairs of design and transfer cylinders, Web advancing means, their drive, and

means for driving the pairs of design and transfer cylinders independently of the impression cylinder and web advancing means and independently of each other.

27. In a multi color offset printing press, a printing unit comprising a common impression cylinder and pairs of design and transfer cylinders, their drive, and means for driving or stopping the pairs of design and transfer cylinders independently of the impression cylinder and independently of each other.

28. In a multi color offset printing press, a printing unit comprising a common impression cylinder and pairs of design and transfer cylinders, web advancing means, their drive, and means for driving or stopping the pairs of design and transfer cylinders independently of the impression cylinder and web advancing means and independently of each other.

29. In a multi color offset printing press, a 

